This lesson is the first in a series of lessons on the Second World War aimed primarily at KS3 students and is expected to take between 1-2 hours to complete. Students are introduced to some of the main causes of this significant event of modern world history. The lesson can be delivered as a computer based research lesson or through a more traditional, classroom based lesson. In the computer based lesson students are directed to a series of informative websites and audio visual clips from which they can gather their information. In the traditional, classroom based lesson students use the information sheet resources to gather their information.
The final task of the lesson requires students to demonstrate their learning through a choice of creative tasks which they must complete. This can include such things as creating a poem, song, role play or video. Responses from students so far has been excellent.
This lesson examines the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), highlighting its significance as a precursor to World War II. Students will explore the conflict between Republicans and Nationalists, key events, and international involvement. Activities include analysing propaganda posters, guided reading on major speeches, and writing diary entries from George Orwell’s perspective. The lesson concludes with a discussion on the war’s impact on Spanish society and its broader implications.
Lesson Content and Activities:
Introduction:
Discuss the Spanish Civil War, its causes, and its significance as a prelude to World War II.
Watch a video for an overview of the conflict.
Key Figures and Events:
Examine the roles of key figures such as Francisco Franco and Manuel Azaña.
Discuss the involvement of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy in supporting the Nationalists, and the USSR and International Brigades supporting the Republicans.
Propaganda Posters:
Analyse Nationalist and Republican propaganda posters.
Discuss what each side aimed to communicate and how they tried to influence public opinion.
Guided Reading Task:
Read speeches by Francisco Franco, Manuel Azaña, Edward Knoblaugh, and George Orwell.
Complete the ‘viewpoints’ worksheet by summarising each leader’s perspective on the war.
What Happened at Guernica in 1937?
Discuss the bombing of Guernica, the role of the Luftwaffe, and the impact of this event.
Analyse Pablo Picasso’s painting “Guernica” and its depiction of the horrors of war.
George Orwell’s Diary:
Write diary entries from George Orwell’s perspective based on his experiences in the International Brigades.
Use the hint sheets to help structure the diary entries and include key events and conditions of the fighting.
Writing Task:
Write an essay explaining the significance of the Spanish Civil War in the context of the rise of fascism and the lead-up to World War II.
Use the PEEKA paragraph structure to organise arguments.
Class Discussion:
Share and discuss the diary entries and essays.
Reflect on the impact of the Spanish Civil War on Spain and its broader implications for European politics.
Resources:
Video link on the Spanish Civil War
Propaganda posters
Guided reading texts and viewpoints worksheet
Hint sheets for diary entries
PEEKA paragraph guidelines
This great diamond 9 activity is designed to help students understand why the causes of the Second World War 1939 - 1945. The key theory underpinning this pedagogy is that when we rank items, either statements, objects or images, we are required to make explicit the over- arching relationships by which we organise our knowledge and connect our learning. It can used as a starter or plenary and is suitable for middle to upper ability students as a stretch and challenge task. If you would like something aimed at middle to lower ability students, then please check out my card sort of this topic in my TES shop. This task is primarily designed to help students prioritise the different factors in preparation for an extended answer or essay.
The resource nine diamond shaped cards include a range of factors to explain the causes of the Second World War. Once students have cut the cards out they are set three tasks including:
1. Remove any reasons that you don’t think are important. Record and explain why you have removed them.
2. Arrange the remaining diamonds to show any links that you can find between the different reasons. Record and explain your reasons.
3. Make a smaller diamond shape using what you think are the four most important causes of the First World War.
At each stage students should be feeding back to their group or the class and explaining their choices. The discussion and explanation around the choices that they have made are critical in helping them develop their thinking skills as well as their arguments for writing their essay. on the causes of the Second World War.
The aims and objectives for this lesson are:
Theme: Causes of the Second World War 1939 - 1945?
Know: What were the causes of the Second World War?
Understand: Which factors were the most important?
Evaluate: How far was Hitler responsible for starting the Second World War?
WILF: What Am I Looking for?
Identify & describe: The main reasons why the Second World War started in 1939?
Explain: How did each factor help to start the war?
Analyse: Which factors were the most important?
If you like this resource then why not check out my TES shop where you can find many similar ideas and resources. For example, we have a much simpler card sort on the causes of the Second World War aimed at middle and lower ability students. You can also follow ‘The History Academy’ on Twitter, Google Plus, YouTube and Facebook for the latest updates or even to get in touch and chat about how you have used this resource or to ask questions. We aim to produce cheap and affordable resources for either the price of a good cup of coffee or a happy meal so that you can spend more time doing the things that you want.
Anyway, have fun and stay in touch via social media for the latest updates.
Kind Regards
Roy
A workbook/revision guide for the historical environment study of Warfare Through Time. Made for the Edexcel 2016 GCSE history specfication.
The workbook contains a lot of exam practice and skills. It is broken up into four sections in the following format:
Content, comprehension then exam practice.
A HUGE unit of World War Two lessons for KS3 (or could be used as pre GCSE prep / catch up for KS4). 20 x well planned, detailed and challenging lessons, complete with 9-1 level GCSE challenge questions. This is an editable package and includes:
1. The Treaty of Versailles
2. The Great Depression and Germany
3. The Spartacist Rebellion
4. The Kapp Putsch
5. Hitler and the Nazi Rise to Power
6. WWII Propaganda
7. The Hitler Youth
8. Women, Children and Workers in Nazi Germany
9. Appeasement
10. Sudetenland Crisis
11. The German Youth in Opposition
12. Terror in Nazi Germany
13. The Holocaust
14. Blitzkrieg
15. Stalingrad
16. Dunkirk
17. Battle of Britain
18. D-Day
19. Was Hitler a great dictator?
20. The Impact of WWII on Civilians
This package would take you months to plan from scratch - each lesson will last you an hour, unless stated as two hours in the individual lesson description.
Who are EC Resources?
EC Resources are a group of teachers who work together to create easy to use, high quality and editable lessons and units of work. We have created lessons for The Bank of England, The Children’s Commissioner, MACS Charity, The British Legion, Tes, LikeToBe Careers, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (UK Gov) and have also completed PSHE and Citizenship commissions for schools across the UK.
Full powerpoint lesson looking at Impact of the Second World War on the USSR - Stalin and general political impact. Also includes a starter test (and answers) on related content.
How ready was the USSR for the Great Patriotic War
Soviet Military Actions between Nazi-Soviet Pact and Barbarossa
The Great Patriotic War – An Overview
Effect of the Great Patriotic War – Stalin the war leader x6 info slides
Effect of the Great Patriotic War – Stalin the war leader source activity x2 slides
Effect of the Great Patriotic War – Stalin the war leader x2 further slides
Effect of the Great Patriotic War – Stalin the war leader - view of Hitler source task
Stalin as war leader chart task.
Opposition and Collaboration during the Great Patriotic War
The Communist Party of the USSR and the Great Patriotic War. x2 slides
This is a set of resources for Unit 5 of Warfare through time: the case study on London during the Blitz Edexcel 9-1 Bundle
8 Lessons comprising a range of independent and peer teaching. Resources have been created using the Pearson text book.
Why was London a Target?
How did London Prepare?
The Blitz Begins
Impacts of the Blitz
Government Action
Bethnal Green
V1 and V2 Attacks
London’s Response
This lesson is one of a series of lessons created on the Second World War which I deliver to students at KS3. However, it is a great lesson that would also be ideal for students at KS2. The lesson begins with an engaging starter activity which introduces students to the Home Front and asks them to consider the hopes, fears and feelings of various fictional characters at the outbreak of the Second World War. Students then find out more about life on the Home Front either by following a traditional classroom based lesson using detailed information sheets, or as a computer based lesson which guides students to various websites and video clips from which they can gather their information. Students use their information to produce an A3 presentation piece on the home Front and finishes off by revisiting the starter activity to consider how different people in Britain were affected by the Second World War.
A KS3 History lesson on evacuation during the Second World War.
This lesson can be broken into two one-hour lessons. The first looks at the reasons for evacuation looking at first hand accounts of the process. The second looks at the experiences during evacuation, again looking at sources.
Questions are asked throughout the lesson to check for understanding and develop source analysis.
This lesson examines the Blitz, a sustained bombing campaign by Nazi Germany against Britain during World War II. Students will learn about the threats, how Britain adapted, and the concept of the Blitz Spirit. Activities include video analysis, completing worksheets on threats and adaptations, and writing PEEKA paragraphs. The lesson concludes with a discussion on the existence of the Blitz Spirit, supported by evidence from various sources.
Lesson Content and Activities:
Introduction:
Discuss the Blitz and its significance during World War II.
Create a spider diagram and add to it while watching a video on the Blitz.
Threats:
Identify and analyse the threats posed by Heinkel bombers, V1 rockets, and V2 rockets.
Complete the ‘threats’ section on the Blitz worksheet using fact sheets.
Adaptations:
Discuss how Britain adapted to the bombings with bomb shelters, the London Underground, blackouts, barrage balloons, and the Royal Observer Corps.
Complete the ‘adaptations’ section on the Blitz worksheet using fact sheets.
Blitz Spirit:
Examine the concept of the Blitz Spirit and its portrayal in history.
Read through various sources and complete a table analysing whether the sources support the idea of a united Blitz Spirit.
Writing Task:
Write two PEEKA paragraphs, one arguing that there was a Blitz Spirit and one arguing that there was not.
Use evidence from at least two sources to support each paragraph.
Class Discussion:
Share and discuss the paragraphs.
Reflect on the impact of the Blitz on British society and whether the Blitz Spirit was a real phenomenon.
Resources:
Spider diagram template
Video link on the Blitz
Fact sheets on threats and adaptations
Sources for Blitz Spirit analysis
PEEKA paragraph guidelines
From a series of over 30 Second World War lessons made by Wolsey Academy. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge in this vital period of 20th Century History and each lesson looks to focus on a range of historical skills and exam techniques to equip students with knowledge and transferable research, analysis and study skills.
To find the complete bundle search on the Wolsey Academy website.
Wolsey Academy operates as a non-profit, with every penny we make going to one of our charity partners or into the Ipswich Initiative, funding good works across the town and county. Search for Wolsey Academy to see our website for more details and to purchase resources at a discount.
Use code ‘WOLSEY’ for 10% off at the Wolsey Academy Web Store.
Please help us, help you, help them. Thank you.
Hope it helps.
W
This bundle contains:
Was Dunkirk a Success or Failure?
Was the Battle of Britain Our Finest Hour
Was Operation Barbarossa a Turning Point
Was Pearl Harbour a Japanese Victory or Failure?
Was D-Day a Major Turning Point?
***SALE*** - this resource is on sale at a reduced price.
Learning outcomes:
describe what rationing consisted of.
assess the methods by which rationing was ‘sold’ to the people of Britain.
assess the relative significance of different aspects of the Home Front to people’s lives
Lesson features differentiated learning objectives, a well-paced starter, main and plenary, and a focal on source evaluation, including the analysis of sources designed to encourage rationing.
Lesson ties together series of three lessons on the Blitz, evacuation and rationing by asking students to compare the relative impact of these three events on Britain using Partington's model of historical significance.
A lesson looking at the consequences of the Second World War.
This involves looking at and filling in an A3 sheet on the following events:
Germany divided (occupation zones)
Cold War
Marshall Plan
Iron Curtain
Berlin Wall
The far right in Europe
Decolonisation
European colonisation
Students will then use this information to complete an two consequences exam question. Explain two consequences of the Allied victory in World War Two.
Finally students will read about the policies of the Soviet Union and the West, with this information they will create a logo that best represents both ideologies.
5 excellent lessons on London and the Second World War.
These lessons are linked to the new Edexcel GCSE 9-1 spec.
All the resources are included and this series of lessons works well with the Pearson ‘Warfare through time, c1250 - present’.
This lesson explores the rise of Benito Mussolini and the establishment of fascist rule in Italy from 1919 to 1925. Students will learn about the socio-economic factors that contributed to Mussolini’s rise, his use of violence and propaganda, and key events like the March on Rome. Activities include video analysis, sorting timeline events, and writing a PEEKA paragraph. The lesson concludes with a discussion on Mussolini’s impact on Italy and European politics.
Lesson Content and Activities:
Introduction:
Discuss the historical context of post-World War I Italy, including economic depression and political instability.
Watch a video on the rise of Mussolini and create a spider diagram to note key points.
Quiz-Quiz-Trade Activity:
Walk around the classroom and partner up to ask and answer questions using the provided question cards.
Trade question cards after each interaction.
Who Was Mussolini?
Learn about Benito Mussolini, the formation of the Fascist Party in 1919, and his rise to power.
Discuss his use of nationalism and authoritarianism.
Timeline Activity:
Sort timeline cards into the correct chronological order, covering key events such as the formation of the Fascist Party, the Biennio Rosso, the use of Black Shirts, the March on Rome, and the establishment of dictatorship.
Factors Contributing to Mussolini’s Rise:
Examine the “Mutilated Victory” and its influence on Italian politics.
Discuss the fear of communism and the Biennio Rosso.
Analyze Mussolini’s use of violence and propaganda, including the Black Shirts and media control.
Writing Task:
Write a PEEKA paragraph explaining one key factor that contributed to Mussolini’s rise to power.
Use the PEEKA structure: Point, Evidence, Explain, Knowledge (extra), Answer the question.
Class Discussion:
Share and discuss the PEEKA paragraphs.
Reflect on Mussolini’s impact on Italy and the broader European political landscape.
Resources:
Video link on Mussolini’s rise
Spider diagram template
Timeline cards for sorting
Question cards for Quiz-Quiz-Trade activity
PEEKA paragraph guidelines
From a series of over 30 Second World War lessons made by Wolsey Academy. They provide a thorough foundation of knowledge in this vital period of 20th Century History and each lesson looks to focus on a range of historical skills and exam techniques to equip students with knowledge and transferable research, analysis and study skills.
To find the complete bundle search on the Wolsey Academy website.
Wolsey Academy operates as a non-profit, with every penny we make going to one of our charity partners or into the Ipswich Initiative, funding good works across the town and county. Search for Wolsey Academy to see our website for more details and to purchase resources at a discount.
Use code ‘WOLSEY’ for 10% off at the Wolsey Academy Web Store.
Please help us, help you, help them. Thank you.
Hope it helps.
W
Propaganda posters from the IWM collection looking at how the British Government encouraged people to help the war effort.
All the images are available to download together as a PowerPoint.
Visit the IWM website to find out more about IWM's free online learning resources
http://www.iwm.org.uk/history/learning-resources
This resource explores Second World War poetry in the context of war poetry as a whole. It includes an analysis of Timothy Corsellis' poem &'Dawn After the Raid&'; and writing exercises to get students writing their own poems based on Timothy's structure. The resource supports Young Poets Network&'s annual Timothy Corsellis Prize.
This activity is taken from MY UNCLE'S DUNKIRK by Mick Manning and Brita Granström (published by Franklin Watts in association with the Imperial War Museum). It explores the events at Dunkirk by comparing a holiday beach scene with a war zone. There is opportunity for plenty of cross curricular work, including history, geography and PSHE, as well as two worksheets to support the Pupils Writing Targets at Y 2, 3, 4 and 5.